Science
At Park Academy West London (PAWL), the Science curriculum is designed to foster a curiosity about the world around us, enable citizens of the future to understand and explore the world effectively and to be able to use scientific principles to both answer and ask questions about the universe and everything in it.
Our intent is that our curriculum
- inspires a love of learning and curiosity about the world;
- develops the practical knowledge and skills to use scientific equipment safely and accurately to competently test ideas and demonstrate phenomena;
- fosters a sense of awe in the beauty of our universe and how we can work together (or individually) to deepen our understanding of anything;
- develops analytical skills to scrutinise data presented in any format to draw out meaning;
- combines basic Maths and English skills in context to help students develop their application skills;
- informs students of issues facing themselves and the wider world to help this future generation look after themselves and their planet;
- ensures students leave PAWL able to critically analyse and evaluate data, stories and phenomena in everyday situations;
- improves transferable and future skills such as time-keeping, teamwork, organisation, communication, collaboration, productivity and accountability;
- develops students learning skills and independence so they can go on to be life-long learners;
- makes students more employable so they become a self-sufficient and productive member of society;
- helps students develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills;
- teaches students how to be safe and evaluate risks in everyday life and in particular scientific contexts.
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 Science encompasses a wide range of Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics. We follow the AQA Activate programme closely to enable our students to follow a spiral curriculum up to GCSE. This enables students to develop a strong understanding of each of the three science disciplines, as well as a range of investigative and practical skills. Also in Years 7 and 8, ATL assignments allow students to gain a deeper understanding of key scientific concepts by utilising the assignment’s core principle and apply their knowledge to real life scenarios. This will help our students deal with unfamiliar content and the higher demand they will face with the new and more challenging GCSEs.
For our Key Stage 3 students, we offer a weekly STEM Club to increase science capital. This is done by completing experiments and projects that aim to increase exposure to careers in STEM and wider applications of scientific concepts outside of the classroom. We run projects such as coding and computer science which goes beyond our curriculum since we understand science offers the opportunity to multiple variety of careers some of which do not even exist yet.
Key Stage 4
All students will follow the combined science course and achieve two GCSE grades. Over the two years, students will cover a broad range of topics from all three sciences and learn how to apply their knowledge to a range of practical situations. The topics include:
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
| ● Cell biology
● Organisation ● Infection and response ● Bioenergetics ● Homeostasis and response ● Inheritance, variation and evolution ● Ecology
|
● Atomic structure and the periodic table
● Bonding, structure and the properties of matter ● Quantitative chemistry ● Chemical changes ● Energy changes ● The rate and extent of chemical change ● Organic chemistry ● Chemical analysis ● Chemistry of the atmosphere ● Using resources |
● Energy
● Electricity ● Particle model of matter ● Atomic structure ● Forces ● Waves ● Magnetism and electromagnetism
|
AQA GSCE Combined Science: Trilogy
Paper 1: Biology externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 2: Biology externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 3: Chemistry externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 4: Chemistry externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 5: Physics externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 6: Physics externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Key Stage 5
GCE AQA Advanced Level Biology
Paper 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Biological molecules; cells; organisms exchange substances with their environment; genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms and relevant practical skills
Paper 2: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Energy transfers in and between organisms; organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments; genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems; the control of gene expression and relevant practical skills
Paper 3: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (30%)
All content and practical skills
GCE AQA A Level Chemistry
Paper 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry
Paper 2: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Physical Chemistry and organic Chemistry
Paper 3: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (30%)
All content and practical skills
GCE AQA A Level Physics
Paper 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (34%)
Periodic Motion
Paper 2: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (34%)
Thermal Physics
Paper 3: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (32%)
Practical skills and data analysis
WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science
Medical Science is the science of dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. The Level 3 Certificate in Medical Science is for learners who are interested in careers related to healthcare and medical research.
Unit 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours): Human health & disease
Unit 2: Internally assessed coursework: Psychological measurement techniques
Unit 3: Internally assessed coursework: Medical science research methods
Unit 4: Internally assessed coursework: Medicines and treatment of diseases
Unit 5: Externally assessed controlled assessment: clinical laboratory techniques
Unit 6: Externally assessed exam (1 hour 30 minutes) – Medical case study (case study available 4 weeks before exam)